10 Common Mistakes Job Seekers Make

10 Common Mistakes Job Seekers Make10 Common Mistakes Job Seekers MakeDo you know someone who has experience and skill in their field (not to mention commitment, drive, and great references), but despite their best efforts, they cant seem to find a job? For anyone in this situation, as application after application is filled out without any results, you may wonder,What am I doing wrong?Many well-meaning, enthusiastic job seekers unknowingly sabotage their efforts because they dont realize their strategy is full of mistakes.Fortunately, when you know which errors to avoid, youll probably find that your stalled job search gains the forward momentum you want.Here are 10 common mistakes that job seekers make in their campaignsFailure to prepare for your job search.People spend more time planning summer vacations than learning what it takes to conduct a job-search campaign. Its little wonder they have a hard time landing the right jobThe most qualified applicants do not always get the bes t jobs however, outstanding candidates always get the best offers. Your objective in preparing for a job search is to learn how to present your skills through your accomplishments, which most people cant do effectively on the fly.Going after jobs that no longer exist.Every day, thousands of job seekers look for jobs identical to the one they just left, when in reality, that job has gone away- or at least evolved.Check with human resource departments of target companies to see what jobs are unfilledbeforepreparing your rsum, references, and interview talking points. Realign your campaign early where there is a need rather than chasing after something that is not there.Using poorly prepared letters and collateral materials.When applying to advertisements or writing to company executives, take time to think carefully, edit, edit some more, and proofread. Your reader is thinking,This candidate will never do better for me than what she is doing for herself.So if your submission is poorly written, not focused on what the company is seeking, loaded with clichs and boring, or sprinkled with typos, it is aya to be eliminated.Poorly prepared letters and collateral materials will rule you out, even if you are the most qualified candidate- and youd be surprised by how often this happens. When writing rsums, documents, and letters, read them slowly out loud. It is one of the best proofing tools you can use.notlage addressing what the company is looking for.When applying to a job posting, take the time to itemize exactly what the company is looking for and match your accomplishments to the companys needs, demonstrating in your application that you have the required skills.Dont send the same materials to multiple companies. If you do not have what the company is looking for, do not waste your time and theirs in responding.Forgetting to thank people who help you along the way.Its amazing how many candidates refuse to acknowledge the help they get from networking contacts with a short but pertinent thank-you note. Dont forget that these people gave you their time and perhaps information that helped you meet more people or, better yet, opened a job opportunity.Sending an e-mail or short handwritten thank-you note says much about your personality and character. Furthermore, your contact may reply with even more help.Relying solely on mail campaigns in lieu of meeting people every day.People get jobs from people. Its a fact. And as many weary job seekers can attest, sending out rsums in response to advertisements can be a futile exercise.Candidates who stay glued to their computers sending out a continuous flow of rsums lose the opportunity to develop their communication skills. A good rule to follow Answer online ads before 730 a.m. and after 730 p.m., and use your day to get out and meet people. Remember, the Internet is open 24/7. One great networking meeting is worth more than 1,000 mailings.Failing to do research on industries, new jobs, and companies in your area.Chances are, you dont want to pick up and move for a job (or even settle for a long commute) if you dont have to. Good news Your best job could be just around the corner. Get a map of your home area and draw a circle at a distance of 20 minutes from your home at 730 a.m. Then search for companies within the perimeter youve created using online company databases.Use weekends to drive around the area and physically note companies in industrial zones. Your campaign should include visiting these companies- not to ask for a job, but to drop off your rsum and a personal geschftliches miteinander card and inform them of youravailability.Putting all your effort in chasing recruiters.If you are seeking a position where your skills are unique and hard to come by, then approaching recruiters makes sense. A well-written cover letter and rsum to the recruiter is all you need. Likewise, if you are seeking a job with a salary lower than $70,000, a recruiter mailing will put you in fro nt of recruiters in your area. And executives can use specialized lists like ExecuNet or Ladders (both for a fee). But heres a fact you may not have known By and large, recruiters prefer selecting candidates from successfully employed performers at competitors of their client companies.In speaking to recruiter friends, we asked what percentage of candidates they selected from unemployed applicants in their database. It bordered on 1 percent. While recruiters can help if they have an assignment that fits your background and are willing to present you, our preference has always been networking as a way into target companies.Not practicing interviewing techniques before going out into the market.If you had a role in a school play, would you rehearse? Of course. You would learn the lines, practice out loud, record how you sound, and even have friends and family critique your performance. Well, you are certainly on stage when you are networking or interviewing with companies, so practici ng is a must.Think about and rehearse your responses to difficult questions like,Tell me about yourself, What are your skills?, Why were you let go from your previous employer?, andHow much money do you want?.Not taking time to learn how to use the Internet as a research and communications tool.We may be living in the Age of the Internet, but that doesnt mean every job seeker knows how to effectively use this resource.We are often surprised by how little people know about the Internet and social media, at least when it comes to tools for communicating, searching for a job, and professional networking. If you are one of those people, devote one hour each evening to viewing training videos and webinars, which can be found by doing a Google search on Training in LinkedIn or Facebook or Twitter.Job hunting is challenging enough without pouring your time and energy into the wrong tactics. Its one thing to be told no after doing your best to obtain a position. What youdontwant is to inadv ertently close that door yourself because of mistakes you could have avoided.

How to Get Noticed -- and Promoted -- in Your Legal Career

How to Get Noticed -- and Promoted -- in Your Legal CareerHow to Get Noticed and Promoted in Your Legal CareerWhether youre working in a legal job at a private law firm or in-house at a company, getting recognition from leaders in the organization can be a challenge. Even if you always contribute top-leidch work, senior colleagues may not readily distinguish you from other up-and-coming associates who also deliver quality work product.Here are some action steps you can take to get noticed and earn the recognition you need to advance in your legal career.Tips to Get Noticed in Your Legal Career1. Be visible. Recognize that there are many ways to raise your profile within the organization in addition to being diligent at your work. Consider taking parte in office events, such as team-building activities, holiday parties, birthday celebrations, nonprofit or pro bono work, and other official mix-and-mingle opportunities that may arise. These are the times you can get to know co-workers and partners in a mora relaxed setting and engage in conversations with colleagues you dont see on a daily basis. 2. Refine interpersonal skills. Soft skillsare an integral part of being a successful attorney, essential to forging relationships with professionals in your office and within the legal community. Strengthen communication skills by interacting with a wide range of people and personalities. From clients to co-workers to co-counsel you need to be able to work with them all effectively.Strong communication skills are not just for arguing cases or writing memos but also for conveying important information and business solutions to clients. You should also be adept at dealing with ambiguity and complexity.3. Do more than your job description. Volunteer for projects that are important to the organization but others may see as too mundane or uninteresting to tackle. Not only will you demonstrate youre dependable, but youll show your co-workers and superiors that youre willing to go above and beyond for the organization. Step up for the projects that will elevate your status in the firm or office.On the other hand, be sure to maintain balance dont overdo it. If you pile too much on your plate, you risk producing inferior results. If someone asks you to take on a project and you truly dont have time, politely decline. Your co-workers will appreciate an honest answer as opposed to a promise that you may be unable to fulfill.4. Be client-focused. If youre an attorney at a law firm, building strong relationships with your clients and potential clients can help you bring more business into the practice. Demonstrating your rainmaking skills is one of the best ways to get noticed. Improving client service levels involves maintaining an active dialogue with clients. Consider inviting some of your best clients to lunch to discuss their legal needs, where they feel your firm is doing well, where you can do better, and how you can improve the quality of the servic es you deliver and reduce the clients costs.5. Develop your business skills. A law firm is abusiness. And it needs attorneys who can provide legal advice that keeps clients business goals in mind. Show partners and other senior colleagues you clearly recognize corporate clients growing demand for more value for their spending, more predictability, better communication, transparency in billing, and improved efficiency. Demonstrate that you understand your firm must leave behind or modify some long-established traditions in order to remain competitive and operate cost-effectively. And embrace changes that may be introduced for example, alternative billing arrangements, modification of compensation structures, new approaches to client relationship management, and more flexible staffing strategies.6. Find a mentor. Seek out a mentorin your office. Connecting with a seasoned colleague who can provide you with career guidance will not only demonstrate your sincere interest in professiona l development but can also lead to important introductions. Many firms have coaching and mentoring programs in which associates are matched with mentors to guide them especially through their early years. You may benefit from a partner coach who can help you with your work and direct you in your career plans.Use these tips to build your profile in your office and in the legal community. By providing superior legal work and improving your visibility, senior colleagues and partners will be far more likely to take note of your contributions.

What Happens When Both Spouses Are in the Military

What Happens When Both Spouses Are in the MilitaryWhat Happens When Both Spouses Are in the MilitaryWhen both spouses are service members, dual-military life as a couple can be challenging. But many choose to endure the hardships, finding a balance between their marriages and their careers. Married Army Couples Program Keeping a family together while accomplishing the missions set forth by the Army, is something many dual military couples face. One way to meet the challenge is by enrolling in the Married Army Couples Program (MACP). Established in August 1983, the MACP is a program designed to help ensure that married soldiers are considered for joint domicile assignments. Challenges for Being Stationed Together The Married Army Couples Program works, but it doesnt guarantee you will be assigned together.There are a number of things which can make it difficult for the MACP to station a couple together. If two soldiers have the same low-density military occupational specialty (MOS) or job, they may be mora difficult to station together. MACP also applies to soldiers married to members of other services, but it is more difficult for assignment managers to station them together. In addition to the difficulties inherent in stationing soldiers from different career fields together, there are also problems stationing soldiers together when they volunteer forspecial duty. Soldiers Staying Together as a Couple While some soldiers place a lot of faith in their branch managers, others recommend that couples take a more proactive hand in their careers. They should expect to make sacrifices, sometimes above and beyond what unmarried soldiers may face. One may have to decline an appointment, for instance, in the interest of staying close to each other. The key to a successful dual military marriage is a considerationfor each others career goals. Family Care Plans Another challenge dual military couples must tacklearefamily care plans- written instructions fo r the care of family members in the event ofdeployments, temporary duty or field exercises.Dual militarycouples have 30 days after arriving at a new unit to produce a valid family care plan, which includes naming both a short-term andlong-termcare provider. In some cases, finding ashort-termcare provider at a new duty station can be difficult. Talk to other married couples and parents before you have to deal with this situation, since care arrangements can vary from base to base or station. Benefits of Being a Dual Military Couple Still, other dual-military couples said while there are difficulties, there are also a number of benefits.Military spouses understand the stress each other faces on the job every day, and can help each other cope with the challenges they deal with. They can pack each others gear and even if theyre not stationed together, can be a sounding board for each other during challenging periods in their respective tours of duty.